human factors integration finalv2 - engineers australia · 3 human factors is a discipline that...

Human Factors Integration

Tomasz Sobkow

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Agenda

• Human factors definition

• Why human factors integration is important on projects

• Why there is a resistance towards human factors integration

• Tools and methods used by human factors specialists

• Examples of good and bad human factors practice


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Human factors is a discipline that applies knowledge

generated by psychology, sociology, ergonomics,

physiology to improve interaction between humans and

technological systems.

Human factors aim is to understand human capabilities

and limitations and implement these findings into more

efficient and safer technological systems.


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4 Human Factors Integration© Tomasz Sobkow 2013

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Safety

• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that human error is involved in approximately 80% of accidents.

• A substantial number of these accidents is due to design induced error.


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RAM

• Reliability Availability Maintainability (RAM)- Analysing and measuring reliability of a system without

assessing human reliability is at best incomplete and at worst misleading!

- Systems design around human capabilities, improves overall system efficiency

• Costs- Systems designed in line with human capabilities and

limitations are more cost effective to operate

• Beyond HF…- Performing tasks related to HF integration improves

overall design integration.


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7 Human Factors Integration

Human factors plays a significant role in transportation systems from customer experience through to maintenance, operations and safety.

Neglecting human factors in a design can lead to significant issues with usability, operations, maintenance and safety.

However…

Clients and project sponsors very often do not require human factors integration which indicate that HF is not seen as a important element of the design process.

Human Factors in Design©

Tom

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Limited

knowledge

Low

pressureSmall

budget

Poor

results

Consequences

remote in time

Poor performance

not linked to

HF

HF issues not identified

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Tools and Methods©

Tom

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1111

A structured, objective approach to describing users tasks. In its most basic form, a hierarchical task analysis provides an understanding of the tasks users need to perform to achieve certain goals.

• Human Error Analysis

• Human Reliability Analysis

• Operational Concept Development

• Workload Analysis


Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA)©

Tom

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Communication Link Analysis©

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Task

Cognitive Demand

Time Demand

Physical Demand

Workload Assessment

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• HEART technique

Generic tasks categories:

- (A) Totally unfamiliar, performed at speed with no real idea of likely consequences – 0.55

- (G) Completely familiar, well-designed, highly practised, routine task occurring several times per hour, performed to highest possible standards by highly motivated, highly trained and experienced personnel – 0.0004

Error producing conditions

- High level emotional stress

- An incentive to use other more dangerous procedures


Human Reliability Assessment©

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Sobkow

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• Sightline assessment

• Maintenance access assessment

• Reach envelope

• Workstation ergonomics

• Large Video Display positioning


…don’t confuse with ‘pretty pictures’

3D Ergonomics©

Tom

asz

Sobkow

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Bad and Good Examples

of


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• On 10 March 2009, a Docklands

Light Railway service became

derailed as it travelled through a set

of points at North Quay junction,

just north of West India Quay

station. There were no injuries to

the 80 passengers or the passenger

service agent on board the train

• The control centre controller did

not intervene to stop the movement

of the train or follow the emergency

procedure

• The control centre controller was

not aware of the exact position of

the train


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• The drivers’ ability to read the DMI

display was compromised due to

glare

• To mitigate glare a brighter DMI

display was fitted to ensure that

contrast levels in bright conditions

was adequate


• This mitigation created another issue. The new DMI display was too bright

for some drivers during night-time conditions

• This usability issue was temporarily mitigated by the introduction of a fold

down polarized ‘shade’

• This solution did not work well with a touch screen!

Cambrian ETCS trial©

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• One of the first projects requiring human factors integration within MTR

• Design team attitude towards human factors from negative to neutral

• Strong evidence was required to influence design

- recent RSSB research

- videos / pictures from the existing

system


Kai Tak Station - MTR©

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Sobkow

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• Client brief included all requirements from ISO 11064 Control Room Design

• Human Factors tasks were fully integrated into design process

• Well timed introduction of human factors stream of work ensured maximum return on investment

• Full engagement from all stakeholders including shadow operator


Route Control Centre - Crossrail©

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Sobkow

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• Task Analysis – helped to enhance and validate Operational Concept

• Predicted Workload Assessment – helped to rationalize staffing level within RCC

• Alarms Philosophy - dictated common approach to alarm management across different system suppliers

• Human Machine Interface Guidance – dictated common approach towards design of HMI across different system suppliers

• Advanced 3D Ergonomics helped to develop the optimal control room layout


© T

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Thank you

Tomasz Sobkow

[email protected]

If you want to learn more:

• Human Factors & Ergonomics Society of Australia - www.ergonomics.org.au

• Independent Transport Safety Regulator - www.transportregulator.nsw.gov.au

• Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors - www.ergonomics.org.uk

human factors integration finalv2 - engineers australia · 3 human factors is a discipline that...

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